Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Hi,
I'm trying get a collection of Spanish words that have a completely different meaning depending on the location of the world you're at (slang definitions are are also OK. But, the words have to be used in two different countries -cities- and must have a separate meaning in each). Any words you might know and the definitions between one country over the other would be very helpful.
Thanks!
:)
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Hi, I´ve got one for you, the verb "coger" means to hold in spain and other parts of latin America but in Argentina it is also a slang word meaning to have intercourse.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Sure. I first heard this in Miami where there is a large community of Cubans, as you may know. For them, Cubans, una guagua is a bus and in Chile apparently it´s a baby.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
I just thought of another one.
As far as I know in Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia, and I´m almost certain in other countries as well... Torta means cake, but in Mexico it´s a sandwich.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Pendejo en México = Asshole; en Argentina = niño
Mi abuelo (Francisco J. Santamaría) escribió el Diccionario General de Americanismos, la obra está separada en 3 tomos; básicamente considera un americanismo aquélla voz traída del Castellano (de España) cuyo significado cambió en el continente Americano; el otro criterio es precisamente el cambio de significado de país a país en el continente. También provee los varios significados de esas voces en más de dos países.
Se imprimió por última vez en los 80' si mal no recuerdo y no se ha vuelto a tirar otra impresión pues ese tipo de diccionario no es el que la mayoría de la gente desee tener, de manera que se vuelve no redituable para la casa editorial.
También escribió el Diccionario de Mejicanismos -que edita Porrúa, en México-. Ahí también puedes encotrar otro buen tanto de términos cuyo significado varía.
Me atrevo a pensar que puedes encotrar algo en la red.
Velia
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Another one : mona (a female monkey)
In Spain : pretty girl
In Venezuela it means a conceited girl
I Colombia it means a blond girl
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fernandar
I just thought of another one.
As far as I know in Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia, and I´m almost certain in other countries as well... Torta means cake, but in Mexico it´s a sandwich.
In Argentina "torta" is "cake", but also a l-e-s-b-i-a-n is called "torta" or "tortillera"
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Quote:
torta" is a l-e-s-b-i-a-n is called "torta" or "tortillera".
the same here, mem. There is also a pastry, not a cake, called tortica
and pendejo is a pubic hair.
sorry, but all I can think of right now are banned words. I'll try to come back with more.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
In Costa Rica
A torta is a problem, something embarrassing. Yes, it can also be a pastry too.
A pendejo is a coward.
Someone who is "pinche" is stingy, a tightwad. It is completely unrelated to the Mexican "pinche".
People can "coger" a bus without having *** with it. All they need to do is catch it.
A bus is never a "camión" as in Mexico, but even a big ónibusbus can be a "buseta". (In Colombia a "buseta" is a small bus, smaller than a normal bus but larger than a van or "combi/micro".) Don't use this word in Brazil.
If a child is "chingo", he doesn't have his clothes on. If your pants are "chingos", they are too short for you. If someone says "Chingo de sombrero", they like your hat. There is no connection between the Costa Rican "chingo" and the Mexican "chingar".
A Costa Rican "chivo" is a man supported by his woman/women. A Colombian or Panamanian "chiva" is a party bus. The seats are often removed to permit dancing and boozing as the bus careens around the city.
Costa Ricans love to shorten words or expressions.
A reu is a reunión, porfa is por favor, porsiaca is por si acaso, estoica is "I need to go to the bathroom right now. This very minute! Get the hell out of my way."
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fernandar
Sure. I first heard this in Miami where there is a large community of Cubans, as you may know. For them, Cubans, una guagua is a bus and in Chile apparently it´s a baby.
In Ecuador guagua also means baby. I believe it comes from the Quechua language. In, I believe it was Puerto Rico, it means van.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Velisa
Pendejo en México = Asshole; en Argentina = niño
Mi abuelo (Francisco J. Santamaría) escribió el Diccionario General de Americanismos, la obra está separada en 3 tomos; básicamente considera un americanismo aquélla voz traída del Castellano (de España) cuyo significado cambió en el continente Americano; el otro criterio es precisamente el cambio de significado de país a país en el continente. También provee los varios significados de esas voces en más de dos países.
Se imprimió por última vez en los 80' si mal no recuerdo y no se ha vuelto a tirar otra impresión pues ese tipo de diccionario no es el que la mayoría de la gente desee tener, de manera que se vuelve no redituable para la casa editorial.
También escribió el Diccionario de Mejicanismos -que edita Porrúa, en México-. Ahí también puedes encotrar otro buen tanto de términos cuyo significado varía.
Me atrevo a pensar que puedes encotrar algo en la red.
Velia
I think pendejo means asshole in most or at least many countries. I know for sure, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua and Mexico.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Hi there...
In Argentina they call a sweatshirt "buzo", in Costa Rica the same word means sweatpants, in Guatemala we use the word to define someone who is very good at doing something.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
boyo= faggot in peru and bun in mexico.
thats the only i can think of right now.
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
In Colombia I have heard "palito" used to mean "a twelve pack of beer", but elsewhere it means ***** or ***.
In Colombia a "cuca" is a vagina, but it can also mean a type of cookie.
In Colombia and Panama, a "chiva" is a bus, either a very rustic one in the country or in the city one used (minus seats) for dancing and drinking as it drives around the city. In some countries a "chiva" is a goatee. In Costa Rica it is a kept man, someone supported by women (could be a gigolo or a pimp).
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
As far as Peru is concerned:
"Meterle un combo a alguien" is to punch someone, I don't know about other places.
"Pincho" means *****, and as far as I know in Venezuela means "hot dog".
I'll get back with newer words.
Cheers!
Re: Spanish Words that mean different things in different Spanish countries.
Pincho in Vz is a shish-ebab, brochette, or skewer.
Perro caliente is hot dog.